Join Open University of the Left on Saturday December 16 at 2:30 pm at the Lincoln Park Public Library 1150 W. Fullerton Ave. Chicago (at Racine), free parking, wheelchair accessible, (Red Line: Fullerton)

Dr. Paul Street presents: “Trumped? How the United States Became a “Banana Republic.”

Open University of the Left welcomes back Dr. Paul Street who will discuss the radical disconnect between majority progressive public opinion and government policy in the United States today. While much of “the left” focuses obsessively on the obvious evil and madness of Donald Trump, Paul will argue that Trump is the symptom of an authoritarian capitalist system whose richly bipartisan “trumping” of the populace is a longstanding problem. Street will discuss the inner un- and anti-democratic, oligarchic workings of a political system that is falsely sold as an unmatched model of popular self rule.

Along the way, Paul will review the most significant developments of the horrific Trump presidency and examine the failure of “the left” to mount an effective “resistance.” He will also point to some hopeful signs and suggest lessons for progressive and democratic resurgence going forward.

Currently, Paul is an independent radical-democratic policy researcher, journalist, historian and speaker based in Iowa City, Iowa and Chicago, Illinois. He is a regular political commentator who has been seen in numerous radio and television interviews. He has authored seven books to date and his essays, articles, reviews and commentaries have appeared in a wide variety of media venues.

All Open University of the Left events are free of charge and open to all.